Introducing Britain’s healthcare system

“[S]ocialised medicine is not just a hallmark of a decent society, but economically rational as well. If one leaves behind capitalist-romantic theories about private-sector efficiency and looks at real-world privatised medicine, which may be observed in America, it is an obvious disaster. It is vastly more expensive and delivers mediocre results outside of luxury care. Britain spends about 1/3 the money per person and we have public health statistics roughly equivalent to America. Except for the fact that the bottom 1/4 of our population is vastly healthier.”

One phrase I don’t see in the Wikipedia article on Britain’s National Health Service (linked just above) is “two-tier system,” even though those with money are perfectly free to pay to see docs ‘on the side,’ or “jump the queue” as they put it. This I know is a concern in Canada, maybe elsewhere too. Maybe it’s not seen as a problem in Britain, or not done alot, or not needed alot; I don’t know.

(*–Naturally, they deny the “fascism” charge. Judge for yourself here and here. Not that it matters, since they have a snowball’s chance of attracting anything besides sensationalistic “news” coverage….)

Looking at the tail-end of the Nightwatchman video on Mike’s site linked above, the scenes from Cuba, reminded me that it’s not a matter of national wealth, just national will. Cuba is virtually cut-off from the outside world, remember? And whatever the shortcomings of the Castro government, they’re kicking our ass when it comes to health care for those who need it in their country and overseas!Between Cuban doctors and Venezuelan Citgo oil, who’s really helping the needy around here???